Another Country (1984)

Guy Bennett (Rupert Everett) and Tommy Judd (Colin Firth) are two handsome young men attending an English boarding school during the 1930's. Bennett is openly gay, while Judd is a Marxist. Bennett falls in love with James Harcourt (Cary Elwes) and the pair embark on a homosexual affair, but do not conceal their mutual affection. The hypocrisy of the other boys attending the school, many of whom are also having affairs, eventually drives the couple to extreme measures. Judd meanwhile, finds that as a Marxist, his beliefs are in direct opposition to the role he is offered as school prefect.

One day a teacher walks in on Martineau (Philip Dupuy) and a boy from another house engaged in mutual masturbation. Martineau subsequently kills himself because of the shame of having been found in a homosexual embrace, and chaos erupts as teachers and the senior students try their hardest to keep the scandal away from parents and the rest of the outside world. The gay scandal however gives the army-obsessed house captain Fowler (Tristan Oliver), who dislikes both Bennett and Judd, a welcome reason to scheme against Bennett to keep him from becoming a "god"-- a school name for the elite pupils of the school. Fowler is able to intercept a love letter from Bennett to James Harcourt. Bennett agrees to be punished so as not to compromise Harcourt.

Meanwhile, Judd is reluctant to become a prefect, since he feels that he cannot endorse a "system of oppression" such as this, and has a memorable, bitter speech about how the boys oppressed by the system grow up to be the fathers who maintain it. He eventually agrees to become a prefect in order to prevent the hateful Fowler from becoming Head of House. This never comes about, however, because Donald Devenish (Rupert Wainwright) agrees to stay at school and become a prefect if he is nominated to become a god instead of Bennett. Devastated at the loss of his cherished dream of becoming a god Bennett comes to realize that the British class system strongly relies on outward appearance and that to be openly gay is a severe hindrance to a career as a diplomat. The epilogue of the movie states that he emigrated to Russia later in his life, after having been a spy for the Soviet Union. Judd dies fighting in the Spanish Civil War.

Part coming-of-age film, part social commentary, this award-winning drama is loosely based on the life of Guy Burgess of the Burgess/McLain "Cambridge spies" incidents. The ending seems abrupt, and questions remain unanswered with nothing resolved. But it was suitable for its intended theatrical medium, and is one of the factors that ensures the film's endurance. It poses thoughtful inquiries that still deserve contemplation. Michael Storey composed the original music, Julian Mitchell wrote the screenplay from his own stage play, and Marek Kanievska directed.

The Mexican (2001)

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt), a part-time thief trying to go straight, is given two ultimatums. His mob boss Bernie Nayman (Bob Balaban) wants him to travel to Mexico to get a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican", and deliver it to a mysterious buyer. The other ultimatum comes from his feisty girlfriend Samantha Barzel (Julia Roberts), who wants him to end his association with the mob. As collateral to make sure he comes through with the goods, Samantha en route to Las Vegas is kidnapped by burly guard/assassin Leroy (James Gandolfini) who isn't quite what he seems. Samantha eventually discovers that Leroy is a homosexual after catching him staring at a man. Jerry figures that being alive, although in trouble with his girlfriend is the better alternative so he heads south of the border. Finding the pistol is easy but getting it home is a whole other matter. The pistol supposedly carries a curse--a curse Jerry believes, especially when Samantha is held hostage by gay hit man Leroy to ensure the safe return of the pistol. Jerry soon has his hands full with bandits, bloodshed, and a grizzly hound dog that vanishes and reappears with amusing regularity.

Jerry is kidnapped and winds up in the presence of local mobster Arnold Margolese (Gene Hackman). Margolese explains that he wants the pistol so he can return it to its rightful owner, the descendant of the gunsmith. Jerry agrees to return the pistol to the aging descendant, and is taken back to his hotel room. Bernie, however, is already there, demanding the pistol in exchange for Samantha. When it is discovered that she is in the trunk of Jerry's car, he explains she is the only one who knows its location. Bernie opens the trunk, revealing a very irate Samantha wielding the cursed pistol. After a brief standoff, Samantha fires the pistol, causing a small gold wedding ring to fall out. Bernie stands still for a moment, apparently unharmed, but then reveals a bullet hole in his neck that kills him. Jerry then takes the ring, proposes to Samantha, and the two begin their trip back to the United States.

This is an unusual mixture of romantic comedy, thriller, and road movie. There are many moments to lighten the fast-paced journey of the film--the multiple flashbacks to the story behind the pistols are quite entertaining, and the quirky characters chasing Jerry and Sam definitely add something to an eclectic mix of personalities. The plot takes a few strange twists and livens things up with a few sideline stories and characters and some great acting from Pitt. Alan Silvestri composed the original music, J. H. Wyman wrote the screenplay, and Gore Verbinski directed.